Authority Rejects All Bids For Taxiway, Ramp At A-b-e

September 23, 1987|by BILL GERNERD, The Morning Call

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority yesterday rejected all bids for construction of a ramp and taxiway to service a $3 million fixed-base operation proposed by Andretti-Thayer Aviation Services Inc.

The authority directed its engineer, G. Edwin Pidcock, to revise specifications to include only that portion of the ramp and taxiway construction that would be covered by a $1 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, and then readvertise for new bids.

When the authority originally sought bids, it requested quotations on a number of options that would have included some secondary ramps and taxiways and aprons leading to T-hangars proposed by Andretti-Thayer.

Under the new specifications, the "customization" to serve Andretti- Thayer would be eliminated from bid proposals, letting any such extras to be handled by the fixed-base operator.

In connection with the planned improvements, Jack Yohe, airport director, was asked later about the possibility of an additional FAA grant of $1.2 million toward the work.

Yohe, after a trip to Washington to inquire about the likelihood of getting the additional funding, said, "The FAA does not have its head in the sand. It is aware of delays in the development of this proposed project.

"But it is very unlikely a decision will be made (on an additional grant) this fiscal year," said Yohe.

Thayer, an entrepreneur who owns Fleet Helicopter Services in Coopersburg and a company dealing in new and renovated truck trailers, and race-car driver Mario Andretti propose to conduct a fixed-base operation on a 22-acre portion of the airport to be obtained under a long-term lease. The authority has a strict policy of not selling airport land.

In other business, the authority authorized an estimated $11,500 repair project after Dr. Thomas Solt, authority maintenance committee chairman, said the roof over the restaurant dining room area "has deteriorated and is leaking in several locations."

Solt also said that as a result of the leaks, the ceiling in the dining room is breaking and falling down, and heating-ventilation-air conditioning ducts require taping.

This work will require that the restaurant dining room be closed for three to four weeks, possibly in January when that section of the restaurant would be least affected.

He estimated the cost to replace the ceiling would run between $7,000and $8,000, while repairs to the ducts could be handled by the authority's maintenance staff. The authority also approved that work.

Solt said rainstorms earlier this month "played havoc with the drainage systems on the airport and, as expected, produced a large number of sinkholes."

He said at least six sinkholes developed in paved areas and another six in sod areas along runways and taxiways. The holes varied in size from 2 feet to 12-15 feet across. All have been repaired, according to Solt.

Jack Greenblatt, finance committee chairman, announced that a formal grant application will be filed with the FAA this week for $247,000 to pay for a new crash, fire and rescue truck for the airport's fire department.

Preapplication for the funds met with FAA approval last week, with indication that the money would be available from the Airport and Airways Improvement discretionary allotment under the Airport Trust Fund.

Greenblatt said bids for the vehicle would be advertised nationally starting this week in an effort to secure quotations in time for action at the authority's October meeting.

Meanwhile, Jack Dally, chairman of the public relations committee, had more good news about activity at the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Airport.

Noting that nationwide domestic air traffic to date is running 12.7 percent above last year's record year, he said, "The traffic rate here at A- B-E continues to be above the national average."

Dally said traffic at the local facility is up 25.6 percent for the first eight months of this year for the airlines serving A-B-E.